Introducing Stardock SkinStudio

SkinStudio is a versatile skin editor that can be used to create visual styles and custom skins for the Windows Media Player. To understand the file formats SkinStudio uses for the visual styles you create, we need to briefly discuss Stardock’s approach to skinning Windows XP.

Note

I am working with SkinStudio Professional in this chapter. SkinStudio comes in three versions: free, standard, and professional. The free version lacks features such as the capability to import parts of existing visual styles. Only the professional version provides the capability to create skins for Windows Media Player. You can purchase SkinStudio as a standalone product or as part of Stardock’s Object Desktop. Considering the pricing options and the fact that you also need WindowBlinds if you are using SkinStudio, the Object Desktop provides the best cost savings (and provides several other useful skinning-related tools).